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Blood Marker Testing

Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: May 22 8:02pm | Replies (58)

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@gently

Babs, I'm certain that the disability is in my expression. I hope you don't give up until you're thinking--Why didn't she just say that to begin with.

If your bone density were that of the (non existent) 30 year old that our densities are compared to 324pg/mL with in the range of 104- 1008pg/mL is low normal 60mcg/L P1NP is mid normal in range of 16 to 96 mcg/L So your rebuilding is keeping up with the breaking down. You have effective remodeling.

The markers say that you are maintaining the bone density you now have. If your bone density is low you are maintaining that low bone density.

If your CTX were 1008pg/mL and your P1NP 16mcg/L, you'd be losing bone density according to the bone markers.
The way medical practitioners use the markers is to determine patient compliance with taking their medications and to determine if a medication is working. The markers aren't used to diagnose osteoporosis. They have been used to determine which medication should be prescribed. After Forteo was approved it was thought that the bisphosphonates were best if CTX was high. Now thinking is shifting toward anabolics first.
My private opinion is that you can't regain very much bone loss without pharmaceuticals. There are wonderful ways to try and some people seem to be successful. It is a slower process than meds and the risk of a meanwhile fracture is why many of us take medications.
"Vast understanding" gave me a good laugh. Whatever my understanding, I have even less experience. It's best to question anything I write.

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Replies to "Babs, I'm certain that the disability is in my expression. I hope you don't give up..."

@gently, "The markers say that you are maintaining the bone density you now have. If your bone density is low you are maintaining that low bone density" helped so much.

I have discordance btw my hip at -3.5 and my osteopenic spine and the hip is a challenge to target. My impression is it's hard even with meds (recently watched a presentation where the MDs said teriparatide can even make it worse) so I'm in a quandry. The whole purpose of meds is not to fracture so I'm sure I'll end up taking something or other. Tymlos is like Forteo and I don't think I can take Evenity. Sometimes, I want to curl up into a ball forever.

Thank you again for your help. < 3